Comedian and actor Adam Sandler to get 2023 Mark Twain Prize
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has gone to such luminaries as Richard Pryor, Carl Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, George Carlin and Ellen DeGeneres.
Jon Stewart: Authoritarian governments a threat, not comedy
Comedian Jon Stewart says speculation about the future of comedy amid increased audience cultural sensitivity is ignoring a true and enduring threat: authoritarian governments around the world.
'Return of Jedi,' 'Selena' added to National Film Registry
This yearโs inductees into the National Film Registry include an epic Star Wars and Lord of the Ring films, projects starring Jennifer Lopez and the late Cicely Tyson along with films that took on racially motivated violence against people of color.
!['Superman,โ 'Lethal Weaponโ director Richard Donner dies](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/4b76fImKfLbckD6s-RPUn03n5m0=/800x562/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KR4EMICXDVGDZJFQ3XWUT2KOJA.jpg)
'Superman,โ 'Lethal Weaponโ director Richard Donner dies
The filmmaker who turned Christopher Reeve into โSupermanโ and Mel Gibson and Danny Glover into cop buddies in โLethal Weaponโ has died, his family said Monday through a spokesperson.
![Pioneering comic Paul Mooney, a writer for Pryor, dies at 79](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/5k3EYCgOxS7zOxLUs7AavU03EA8=/800x618/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WK3CZQ6GBRFWTCOG2NDJZS7XFI.jpg)
Pioneering comic Paul Mooney, a writer for Pryor, dies at 79
Paul Mooney, a boundary-pushing comedian who was Richard Pryorโs longtime writing partner and whose bold, incisive musings on racism and American life made him a revered figure in stand-up, has died.
![Yaphet Kotto of 'Live and Let Die,' 'Alien,' dies at 81](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/d1c-zsg2O9TtlNyMHoCvWdNKVt0=/1600x1137/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YWVSIMDJPZD3BKCMA4KHVH75LY.jpg)
Yaphet Kotto of 'Live and Let Die,' 'Alien,' dies at 81
FILE - Actor Yaphet Kotto appears on his wedding day in Baltimore, Md. Kotto, the commanding actor of the James Bond film Live and Let Die and as Lt. Al Giardello on the 90's NBC police drama "Homicide: Life on the Street, died Monday, March 15, 2021 at age 81. Kottos wife, Tessie Sinahon, announced his death Monday in a Facebook post. (AP Photo/John Gillis, File)NEW YORK โ Yaphet Kotto, the commanding actor who brought tough magnetism and stately gravitas to films including the James Bond movie โLive and Let Dieโ and โAlien," has died. Kottoโs wife, Tessie Sinahon, announced his death Monday in a Facebook post.
![Walter Mosley to receive honorary National Book Award](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/thsnMPSZskNTSOj9PZrRbmN9crc=/1600x1187/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/T2EZXY2EBFCNFB7U765T5IJ6BM.jpg)
Walter Mosley to receive honorary National Book Award
NEW YORK Walter Mosley is receiving an honorary National Book Award, cited for dozens of books which range from science fiction and erotica to the acclaimed mystery series that has followed the life of Los Angeles private detective Ezekiel Easy Rawlins. The National Book Awards are presented by the non-profit National Book Foundation. But like such previous medal winners as Ray Bradbury and Elmore Leonard, he has never been nominated for a National Book Award in a competitive category. Mosley knows well the reason: Crime fiction is usually bypassed when lists for a years best books are considered. In a statement Thursday, National Book Foundation Executive Director Lisa Lucas noted the quantity, and quality, of Mosley's work.